Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It will please the Cathaoirleach and the Leader to know that yesterday Killarney House was officially opened to the public for the first time. This was the home of the Browne family, the Earls of Kenmare, including Lord Castlerosse and later John McShain, the man who saved it for the nation and was known as the man who built Washington. He built the Pentagon building and worked on the White House in 1952. It was the Browne family who planned initially and laid out the town of Killarney, and they did a good job of it given its success today. They were responsible for the foundations.In July 2011, the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, announced a restoration package worth €7 million which saved the house from almost certain ruin. Seven years later, Killarney House is officially open and has the potential to become the top tourist attraction in the south west. I thank the Taoiseach for his foresight and for that decision. The main rooms have been restored in period style, complete with original furniture from these families. The building has been magnificently restored. I toured it yesterday and it is a great credit to everyone who worked on it. The house and gardens are a sea of tranquillity, only a stone's throw from the centre of town, and are well worth a visit. I recommend it to all.